LIWA

First Phase of the Indian National Movement

ICSE Class 10 · History & Civics · Chapter 9

What this chapter covers

Key points

Questions answered

Who were the Early Nationalists?
The Early Nationalists were the leaders who guided the Indian National Congress from 1885 to 1907 and sought gradual reforms through peaceful, constitutional methods.
Name the period of the first phase of the Indian National Movement.
1885 to 1907, from the founding of the Indian National Congress to the Surat Split.
State any two beliefs of the Moderates about British rule.
They believed that British rule had brought benefits such as modern education, railways and political unity; and that the British people were just and would grant reforms once they knew the facts about India.
State any two administrative objectives of the Early Nationalists.
Indianisation of the higher services through simultaneous ICS examinations in India and England, and the separation of the judiciary from the executive.
Why did the Moderates demand the separation of the judiciary from the executive?
The district collector was both administrator and magistrate, so the same official could arrest and try a person; separating the two powers would protect people from unfair treatment.
State any two economic objectives of the Early Nationalists.
Reduction of land revenue and of military expenditure; protection of Indian industries through tariffs is another.
What are constitutional methods?
Constitutional methods are lawful and peaceful ways of seeking change, such as petitions, resolutions, speeches, meetings and press campaigns.
What were the "three Ps" of the Moderates?
Prayer, petition and protest.

Past board exam questions

ICSE 2027 sample paper · 1 mark

Mira notices that the children in her apartment are writing on the newly painted walls. If she decides to address this issue using methods inspired by the Early Nationalists, which approach is she MOST LIKELY to follow?

  1. Fight with the children
  2. Write a letter to the welfare association highlighting the problem
  3. Paint all the dirty walls
  4. Boycott the families of the children
Show answer
Write a letter to the welfare association highlighting the problem

ICSE 2026 board paper · 1 mark

In the town of Sundar Nagar, the local government decided to cut down a large number of trees to build a shopping mall. The children were upset because the trees provided a place to play. A group of school students, decided to take action based on the lesson they had studied about the Early Nationalists. Which of the following actions are they NOT likely to adopt?

  1. Hold placards with the message 'Save Our Trees'.
  2. Write letters to the local newspapers expressing their concerns.
  3. Plant saplings to show their commitment to the environment.
  4. Forcibly prevent workers sent by the Government.
Show answer
Forcibly prevent workers sent by the Government.

ICSE 2026 board paper · 1 mark

Read the description and choose the correct option: He was an Early Nationalist leader who presided over the second session of the Indian National Congress.

  1. Dadabhai Naoroji
  2. Gopal Krishna Gokhale
  3. Bipin Chandra Pal
  4. Lokmanya Tilak
Show answer
Dadabhai Naoroji

ICSE 2025 sample paper · 1 mark

The area in which Anand stays has had no water supply for three days in spite of repeated complaints. The residents have a meeting and discuss a few methods to resolve this problem. Being a follower of the beliefs and methods of the Early Nationalists, which of the following methods is Anand NOT LIKELY to approve?

  1. Peaceful procession by the residents
  2. Follow the method of boycott
  3. Write a petition to the government
  4. Write an article in the newspaper highlighting the problem.
Show answer
Follow the method of boycott

ICSE 2025 compartment paper · 1 mark

Identify the Early Nationalists Leaders P: Dadabhai Naoroji Q: Bipin Chandra Pal R: Surendranath Banerjee S: Aurobindo Ghosh

  1. P & Q
  2. R & S
  3. P & R
  4. Q & S
Show answer
P & R

ICSE 2025 board paper · 2 marks

Imagine you are an Early Nationalist leader. Mention any two methods you would follow to fight against the British.

Show answer
1. Constitutional means – sending petitions, prayers and memorandums to the British Government, and passing resolutions at Congress sessions. 2. Spreading political awareness through speeches, meetings and the press, and sending delegations to England to put India's case before the British people and Parliament.

ICSE 2025 compartment paper · 2 marks

Mention any two methods of the Early Nationalists.

Show answer
1. Constitutional methods – sending petitions, prayers, resolutions and memorandums to the Government (the 'three Ps': petition, prayer, protest). 2. Creating public opinion through meetings, speeches and the press, and sending delegations to England to place India's case before the British public and Parliament.

ICSE 2024 board paper · 1 mark

Tina is inspired by the methods of the Early Nationalists and wants to follow them. She notices that the road leading to her school is damaged and has many potholes. Which of the following methods is she MOST LIKELY to follow, to solve this problem?

  1. Boycott the civic authorities
  2. Gather a group of students and protest
  3. Write a petition to the authorities highlighting the problem
  4. Block the entrance to the road
Show answer
Write a petition to the authorities highlighting the problem